… And They Sailed Away

My trawl through my collection of old photographs to find a suitable illustration for St. Valentine's Day came up with this one. As so often is the case, I have no idea who these two are or where and when the photo was taken. That doesn't matter: it perfectly illustrates what Valentine's Day is all … Continue reading … And They Sailed Away

Photographic History

This photograph came to me from my Great Uncle, Fowler Beanland, who, during the First World War, was a foreman at a munitions factory in Keighley. The photo shows fifteen female munitions workers - just a small proportion of the many hundreds who worked for Longbottom and Farrar's, which was, at the time, part of … Continue reading Photographic History

Five Girls And A Kodak

The Sepia Saturday theme this week is old photos of even older photographers, and searching through my extensive (if my wife reads this, I mean very small) collection, I found this 1920s photograph. At first I thought the object in question might be a small handbag, but further research suggests it's a Kodak No 1 … Continue reading Five Girls And A Kodak

Albert In A Flap

Our Sepia Saturday theme this week is all about strange shapes, and the closest I seem to be able to get to it is this photograph from almost 100 years ago. I can only be sure about one of the six heads - and that is the third one down, which is my father, Albert. … Continue reading Albert In A Flap

Style

Our Sepia Saturday theme image this week features a stylish 1920s car, so I thought I would give you both a stylish 1920s car and two stylish ladies from the same era. Both look very proud of their car and their lives, and so they should do. No doubt previous generations had style, but it … Continue reading Style

Accumulatae

I found this old brooch whilst sorting through a box of "accumulatae" (not sure if that is a word, but if not, it should be). I assume that it has come from within the family, and therefore the rather charming lady in the large hat is a relative of mine. Precisely who she is, I … Continue reading Accumulatae

A Walkley Man

My love of old photographs has led me to collect thousands of them over the years and share them with fellow enthusiasts throughout the world. One way in which I do this is via a weekly internet meme, Sepia Saturday, which I started way back in 2009. Our theme this week is "Old Photographs As … Continue reading A Walkley Man

Much Love, Mother

I've no idea who this is a photograph of; it came from one of those job lots of old photos I am so fond of. On the back of the print is written "Much love, Mother, June 1918". The sentiment is lovely and the features are kind and, indeed, rather beautiful. It is the date … Continue reading Much Love, Mother

Christmas Present

The photograph shows my wife, Isobel, meeting Father Christmas in 1953. Thirteen years later, she met me. We've spent the last fifty-nine Christmases together. It's the best present I've ever had.